Yorkshire: Trading Standards Warn About Scams

Throughout May, West Yorkshire Trading Standards is warning residents to be on the look out for rogues who are ripping people off under the guise of various seemingly legitimate offers.

West Yorkshire Trading Standards has seen the emergence of scam mailings, bogus emails and fraudulent phone calls, brought to light through a series of interactive workshops being delivered across the district to local residents.

As part of the financial Fitness initiative being delivered across Kirklees, Leeds and Bradford, community members have been learning how to spot the hallmarks of a scam, empowering themselves with the skills they need to protect themselves and to look out for others who might be vulnerable to falling foul of unscrupulous scammers.

Older residents across Leeds and Bradford are also engaging with the interactive, hands on SAFER workshops in a bid to raise awareness of scams emerging locally and improve financial health, whilst engaging with others, sharing tips and advice.

It is estimated that nearly half of the people in the UK (48%) have been targeted by a scam.

Crime figures show nearly a 60% rise in reported fraud over the past 5 years- boosted by identity theft and online scams.

Every year more than 3 million people in the UK fall victims to scams losing hundreds, sometimes thousands of pounds.

The Citizens Advice Service says just 5% of scams are reported and are wanting more people to report them and not to suffer in silence.

Citizens Advice Service and Trading Standards are running Scams Awareness Month throughout May warning people to be ever-vigilant against rogues and scams, urging people to help 'spot them and stop them'. They will be reminding people that scams come in all shapes and sizes, including adverts, people knocking on your door, emails, letters, phone calls, texts and over the internet.

CABs and Trading Standards officers will be warning people to look out for key signs that something is a scam, such as being contacted out of the blue, requests for money in advance or telling you to 'keep it a secret', and have released some top tips on how to spot a scam and protect themselves from rogues.

What to do if you have been scammed

Report it to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 to help stop it happening to others. Don't suffer in silence.

If you've paid for goods or services by credit card you have more protection and if you used a debit card you may be able to ask your bank for a chargeback.

Get advice and report it to Trading Standards through the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 0845 404 05 06 or online at www.adviceguide.org.uk.

Signs of a scam

A call, letter, email or text has come out of the blue.

You've never heard of the lottery or competition they are talking about.

You didn't buy a ticket- so you can't win.

They are asking you to send money in advance

They are saying you have to respond quickly, so you don't have time to think about it or ask family before you decide.

They are telling you to 'keep it secret'.

They seem to be offering you something for nothing.

If it seems too good to be true- it probably is.

How to protect yourself better

Never give out contact details like your name, phone number or address to strangers or to people who should have this information already.

Never give financial information or details of your identity, bank accounts or credit card to strangers or to businesses that should already hold your details.

'People are seeing their money go down the drain as con artists rip them off by promising lottery wins, work on their home or a new job only to find there is nothing at the end.

'As budgets are squeezed nationally, it is more important than ever that our cash does not end up in the wrong hands. This month we are reinforcing the message for people to be on the lookout for rogues hoping to make a quick buck and remind residents that scams are crimes, it is vital they are reported.'